Patterns of Meaning is proud to announce a partnership with the METAL program to develop a curriculum program designed to introduce K–12 students to the creativity, innovation, and cultural impact of steel and metal manufacturing through the arts.
Anchored at the Patterns of Meaning Workshop and Exhibit Hall in the Energy Innovation Center, and building on its kickoff with the Avonworth School District, the pilot program focuses on schools in the Pittsburgh region, engaging students in classrooms and through hands-on field experiences.
A Curriculum That Connects Art and Industry
Patterns of Meaning has been working to transform public perceptions of steelmaking and foundries through fine art, including large-scale paintings and monumental sculptures crafted from salvaged foundry patterns. This new K–12 curriculum will expand that work into classrooms and communities, combining:
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Interactive, project-based learning in schools
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Experiential field trips to the Patterns of Meaning Exhibit Hall
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Hands-on projects tailored for different grade levels, ranging from drawing and painting to CAD design, sand casting, and additive manufacturing.
By connecting artistic creativity to technical skill-building, the program reaches students who may not have previously considered pathways into engineering, science, or manufacturing.
Changing Perceptions, Expanding Opportunities
The METAL partnership seeks to shift cultural perceptions of heavy industry from “dying” to “essential and innovative.” For students, this opens doors to broader career opportunities in fields that depend on creative problem-solving and technical expertise. For employers, it expands the pool of future artisans, engineers, and innovators capable of meeting tomorrow’s challenges.
About METAL Program
Funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and led by IACMI, the Composites Institute, the METAL program addresses critical workforce gaps in the U.S. metallurgical and manufacturing sectors. IACMI was established in 2015, when it was announced as the fifth institute in the Manufacturing USA network by the Department of Energy.
Partnering with Patterns of Meaning, a program that integrates metal-themed Fine Arts into education, this initiative provides a unique platform for students to explore the technical and artistic aspects of metalworking.
Looking Ahead
Through its curriculum, exhibits, and outreach, Patterns of Meaning is building a bridge between art, industry, and education. By bringing steel and specialty materials into classrooms through creative learning, the METAL partnership honors the past, energizes the present, and invests in the future of Pittsburgh’s students and the future of American manufacturing.
Get Involved
If your organization or company is interested in learning more about partnership opportunities with the Patterns of Meaning Initiative, please contact us here.
Read More About the Patterns of Meaning and METAL Partnership Here